Newton claims win on homecoming

The say that the best offense is a good defense, but the Newton High School football team kept its offense on the field for most of the night against Goddard Eisenhower, claiming a 28-7 homecoming win in non-league play Friday at Fischer Field.

Eisenhower had just four possessions, one in the second half, as the Railers controlled the ball most of the game.

"In the second half, we were able to move the chains and sustain the drives," Newton coach Nate Wollenberg said. "I was really pleased about that."

Newton recovered two kickoffs to keep the 1-4 Tigers off the field.

"One of them was not an on-side kick," Wollenberg said. "We're really inconsistent with the way we kick the ball on kickoffs. We're working on it. I was happy with the way we kicked PATs. Every one was right down the middle. Kendall (Gaeddert) did a really good job. We're just trying to become more consistent on kickoffs."

The start of the game was delayed about 15 minutes because of lightning.

Individual stats were not available at deadline.

Newton running back Bradley Million left the game with an injury early in the second half. Luke Porter, who had been lining up at receiver, switched to running back. Starter Seth Hill was injured last week.

"We'll find out about Bradley later," Wollenberg said. "We've worked (Porter) in the backfield early in the season. We've made sure he's had opportunities. He stepped up today. We're just trying to move people around as these injuries occur. We've been fortunate to have guys step up for us."

Newton opened the game by recovering an on-side kick, setting up a two-yard Morrison run. Eisenhower went three-and-out on its first possession, setting up a seven-yard Morrison run. Newton overcame two penalties on its second drive.

Eisenhower needed just three plays on its second drive to get on the scoreboard, a 61-yard pass from Blake Ramey to Bailey Strunk.

Eisenhower came back with its first defensive stop of the night, holding the Railers on downs at the GS 22. The Tigers drove down to the Newton 22, where Blake Lynch missed a 39-yard field goal attempt just wide right.

The Railers opened the third quarter with a drive that lasted almost eight minutes, ending on an 11-yard pass from Jack Kingsley to Cory Martens. Newton overcame five penalties on the drive.

Newton stopped an Eisenhower drive in the fourth quarter, but was called for a 15-yard sideline interference penalty. Eisenhower got to the Railer six, but a penalty, two plays that went backwards and a Justin Mosiman interception ended the threat.

Kingsley put the game away with a three-yard touchdown run with 2:01 left in regulation. Newton recovered the on-side kick and killed the remaining time.

Page 2 of 2 - Newton is 3-2 and plays at 7 p.m. Friday against Salina South at Salina District Stadium. The Cougars downed Hutchinson 48-10 to move into a four-way tie for first in the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division I.

"They're an outstanding football team," Wollenberg said. "They have outstanding coaches. We truly believe that they are one of the best football teams in the state. We'll prepare and try to get better."